PENPALS
It was a beautiful fall morning in Los Angeles, California. Jennifer Kelly smiled as she looked at the date on the calendar and hoped her hint would bring back some happy memories for her husband of thirty years. She knew it did for her, but it also brought up some very bittersweet ones as well. She just prayed that Chet took it the way it was intended.
While Jenny was preparing breakfast, Chet was taking a leisurely shower. After looking at the beautiful day, he had decided to play some golf. Sometimes Chet Kelly was really glad to be retired from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
As he walked back into the bedroom, he noticed an envelope on top of his pillow. Going over and picking it up curiously, he saw it was indeed addressed to him but with no other information on it.
He finished dressing and then opened the mysterious envelope. The letter it contained was even more mysterious to him.
Jenny had snuck back upstairs and was surreptitiously watching her husband and smiled.
Feeling his wife's eyes on him and having recognized her writing, he looked questioningly at her and said, "Jen? What's this?"
Smiling shyly at the man she loved more than life itself, she said, "Chet, my love, just finish reading it. I think you'll understand then."
And as Chet continued to read:
11/15/08
Dear Chet,
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! (Which really made him curious and a bit nervous, figuring he must be in trouble with Jen.)
No, it is NOT our wedding anniversary, or any of the kids'. It is NOT the anniversary of when you became a fireman, paramedic, engineer or captain, or anything like that.
And it is NOT the anniversary of our first kiss, date or when you proposed, so please get that worried, "Oh, oh, I'm in trouble" look off your face.
Maybe this will remind you-Dear Mr. Soldier…" Remember?
Love always,
Jennifer
Chet stared at the last line for a bit and then plopped on the bed and tearfully said, "Oh my God! It's the anniversary of the first letter!"
Crying, Jen ran over and hugged him, saying, "Yes, Chet, on November 15, 1970, I was a freshman in Holy Family and you were just an unknown soldier, to me, in Viet Nam. I'd even gotten permission from Sister Veronica to write my cousin the same day."
"You wrote Richie, too?"
"Yeah, well that was nothing special because I was always writing him. But you guys were real special. And I was only one of the few who kept up regular correspondence."
Chet laughed, "Yeah, I bet you are the only one with her 'Mr. Soldier' over thirty years later."
"Yup, I am and I know I am the happiest and luckiest." She smiled and kissed her husband.